| Re: What is the Nature of Evil?
See, in the real world, I don't believe in good and evil. People do things that other people regard as evil, but I don't think they are necessarily acting out of evil, black-hat wearing, moustache-twiddling motives.
Yes, there are serial killers, paedophiles, etc, that many of us would regard as evil. But if you were to visit inside their heads, I'm sure that you'd find they were mentally ill and severely disturbed. Same as people like Hitler or Pol Pot - I'm sure they would be able to offer positive justifications for their actions - all for the good of the country, that sort of thing. Unsavoury as it is to admit, Hitler had huge popular support for his policies.
On the other hand, even good people do things that have a negative effect on people. We've all hurt people, broken up with them and made them cry, or bought cheap clothes manufactured in Third world sweatshops. Very few of us can claim to be truly good.
I think what I'm trying to say is that presenting your hero in a white hat and you villan in a black one results in cliched melodrama. It's far more interesting to read about shades of grey. Odd that you mention Martin and Bakker - Who are the bad guys there? Kellus may look like a bad guy, but isn't he just working to a greater good, one that treats people as expendable? The nearest Westeros comes to a good guy is Ned Stark, and look what happened to him. Everyone wears a grey hat. It's what makes those books so interesting. |